When Should A Resource Family Be Concerned About Firesetting?
The answer is ALWAYS! It is important to take use of fire seriously, since even simple curiosity can result in harm to people and property. But some signs are of particular importance
RED FLAGS:
- Chronic history of misusing fire
- Firesetting seen in a child who also shows a pattern of being cruel to animals
- Firesetting in older children
- Threats of setting fires or actual firesetting to scare or control adults
- Psychiatric diagnosis of conduct disorder along with firesetting behavior
- Rageful, vengeful anger that accompany firesetting
OTHER WARNING SIGNS:
- Fascination with fires and candles
- Stashing matches or lighters; hiding or hoarding matches
- Stealing matches from purses or restaurants
- Talk about fires
- Smelling smoke in bedrooms, bathrooms or hiding places
- Past history of misuse of fire
Any time that you feel that misuse of fire goes beyond curiosity and becomes serious or becomes a pattern, contact your caseworker for additional help for the child. For more information about firesetting, contact your worker about a possible assessment or visit with a knowledgeable professional.
What Children Need
Children will need different things depending on why they are setting fires. Curiosity in young firesetters usually need education about fire safety hazards and need good supervision and environment control. This means parents need education too!
Children and adolescent who set fires for other reasons, such as to cause harm, or who are neurologically or psychologically affected, or are greatly aroused by fire, often need a combination of education with an emphasis on assessment and psychological assistance. As one author wrote, "A brief visit to the fire house with a ride on a truck or a brief 'lecture' from a local Fire Chief may not be enough for a younger with a history of impulsivity, depression and/or family conflict." (Barreto and Boekamp.)
These same authors state that "parents of children who set fires report greater psychological distress, heightened marital conflict, less acceptance of and involvement with the child, less frequent and effective parental supervision, inconsistent and harsh discipline strategies and a great number of stressful life events.”